I want something with motorized mixing controls to record in Live 6. After looking around, I'm looking at the Tascam 1884 (or M-Audio I/O) and just one question - this will REPLACE my interface, right? I have a Focusrite Saffire now and one of the reasons I stuck with this is audio quality (up to 192kHz). But none of the mixing control surfaces get there (most I can find are 96kHz). So, with the the Tascam 1884 or the M-Audio I/O, I'm not going to need the Saffire, correct? And I'll downgrade in audio, correct?

And is this the best option? Plan B was to upgrade the Saffire to the rack interface version for more ins, and try to find a seperate module with motorized mixing controls, but can't seem to find one by itself.

Man, you don't want to be recording in 24/192. That's just ludicrous.

For a start, your room accoustics, preamp, mic, monitors and ADC/DAC won't be up to the task (ie. they won't be of high enough quality to make 192 worth while). There are very few pro studios with hundreds of thousands of dollars dropped on them that warrant 192, except those doing production for high def movies.

Secondly, the music you will be producing will be put onto CD or MP3, which is 16/44. When you record in 192, you're going to have to dither it down to 44 which not only will sound shit, but theres obviously not much point. In other words, recording at 192 will sound WORSE than recording at a lower sample rate.

If you wan't the best quality (regardless of price) you want to be recording at 24/88, since it is a straight multiple of 44 and you won't get too many problems in dithering. Obviously a 24/96 card can do that. This is why there aren't many 192 cards out there, because people who have a clue know it's just a stupid gimmick. People who need 192 (DVD audio guys etc.) aren't going to be using anything from Tascam or M-Audio either.

You've completely overlooked the most important part: analogue to digital converters and the software drivers. Those are much more important than the 96 vs. 192 debate (which is irrelevant).

You're going about this whole thing the wrong way though really. Most of those intergrated mixer/sound card things have big compromises that aren't really worth it. IMO you should get the best sound card you can, with the best ADC/DAC possible - probably something from RME is safe. THEN get the best preamps you can get. THEN, buy a MIDI control surface like a Mackie Control... But I would say a Behringer BCF is all you would need (happens to be like 1/8th the price).

Just a word of advice though, I know you "want" something with motorised faders... because they look awesome and make you feel pro. But theres a 99% chance you're like every other producer and will never use them. Go and talk to any engineer at Sony/BMG, they will almost all tell you they just use their mouse. The only time faders are mandatory is when you're recording multiple takes at once and have to ride them to stop clipping (can't be done with one mouse). For that, all you need is a basic MIDI controller anyway. I would get a Novation Remote SL Zero, since you can use it on all your synths and everything - will come in a lot more useful.

You didn't say what preamps you were using so I'm just assuming you are using the (crap) Saffire ones.
What I would buy based on $1,200 budget (cost of a 1884):

Echo Layla 3G
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHLAYLA3G
$499

Presonus Eureka OR Presonus Octo Pre (if you've got a lot of mics)
http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSEUREKA
http://www.zzounds.com/item--FOCOCTOLE
$499 OR $599

Behringer BCF-2000 OR Novation SL Remote Zero
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHBCF2000
http://www.zzounds.com/item--NOVSLZERO
$199 OR $299

A bit over budget :P
Could probably find better preamps for the price too, that's just off the top of my head.

Thanks for all the input.

The reason I wanted motorized faders is that I'm tired of switching controls on my MIDI controller and having the new "levels" of whatever I'm controlling not be the levels on the controller. My hope was that motorized faders would "snap-to" the position of whatever I'm controlling.

In other words, I use my Axiom to control Reason. Record tracks into Ableton, then want my faders on the Axiom to control the levels on Ableton tracks when I'm mixing. But the faders are set to the spot that worked for the instrument and when I move them after switching what I'm controlling, it jacks everything up (I have to remember where it was before I touch the fader). Not sure if I'm explaining that correctly, but short of buying a separate controller for each thing I'm controlling, I was hoping motorized faders would adjust to the setting when I switch what it is controlling.

I like the ideas you have - best soundcard, pre-amps, and the Behringer may word, but it doesn't have enough knobs I don't think. I could use something not motorized I guess - maybe something specifically for Ableton and something separate for Reason to keep things from jacking settings up.

Thanks for the help - really good input (did not know the 192 was pointless).